Subaru EJ25 progress thread - 2020 Modifications, Turbo, Engine Cleanup, Interior Upgrades Options

[Andyrew]

You have a really big opening in the front of the body which helps a lot, but I really would think it would be a good idea to go bigger on your bumper opening, Taller and wider. Notching out the lower valance isnt a bad idea either. The last thing you want is to be driving on a hot summer day at 70mph and see that guage start to go up.. Because once it starts, It just wont stop. That and doing hill climbs or going over big hills like the grape vine can really take a toll on heating systems. You should anticipate this and make your system as efficient as it can be.

[BIGKAT_83]

I'm running a EG33 with about the same total size air openings as this car has. If the rest of the cooling system is correct you don't need a opening any larger than the GT oil cooler opening. I see a lot of peolpe cut way bigger openings than they need.

Bob

[malaga_red75]

I'm running a EG33 with about the same total size air openings as this car has. If the rest of the cooling system is correct you don't need a opening any larger than the GT oil cooler opening. I see a lot of peolpe cut way bigger openings than they need.

Bob

I guess it depends on what 'correct' means. I had the car running in chico for about two months where temps were around 95-105 daily and the car never broke 185-190 (with only 1 fan running). However, this was without the bumpers on. I am just using this as an example that I believe my cooling system is working correctly.

I too think that the opening will be OK, but I would hate to get the bumpers painted and then have to cut more out later.

[malaga_red75]

So, while my car is away right now, I have been thinking about what I want to put back on the car when it comes back. Here is a list of things that I want to put on the car (and most likely will start ordering the stuff this weekend). Let me know what you think.

Seats:

- Corbeau Clubmans; going to get two of these in black cloth. has anyone had any experiences with these? good bad? I was going to buy them online, but i think i might give partsheaven a call today or tomorrow and see what they have.

harness:

- I think I want 5-pt harnesses, but I dont know which brand to get and which mounting style. my first thought is just eye hooks into the firewall. thoughts? comments?

Front Targa seal:

- no explanation needed. will be getting this from 914rubber.com

Roll bar:

- I really like the look of McMark's GT half-cage. Very clean look while still stiffening the body and adding safety. Thinking I will jsut drive the car to his shop and have him put it in on the spot. save money on shipping, and give him the business.

rear suspension:

- right now I have KYB's and they sit way too high and are obviously very stiff. I had Koni yellows with threaded collars on my last car and they were AWESEOME. They are a bit on the pricey side, so i might look for alternatives. My only criteria is that the ride height be adjustable and they remain stiff. (maybe not as stiff as the kyb's)

steering wheel/quick release:

i really have no idea what I want to do for the steering wheel, but I would like a suede grip. The quick release will be there because the seats and rollbar will make it harder to get in and out around the steering wheel. Not to mention it is added anti-theft device (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)


thats all I can think of now. But I appreciate your guys' thoughts on the above stuff.

-Peter

[Mike Bellis]

Seats:

- Corbeau Clubmans; going to get two of these in black cloth. has anyone had any experiences with these? good bad? I was going to buy them online, but i think i might give partsheaven a call today or tomorrow and see what they have.
Parts Heaven is not always cheap. weigh the cost of shipping. nice seats though.
harness:

- I think I want 5-pt harnesses, but I dont know which brand to get and which mounting style. my first thought is just eye hooks into the firewall. thoughts? comments?
5 point with a cam lock. Make sure they have an SFI 16 rating minimum
Front Targa seal:

- no explanation needed. will be getting this from 914rubber.com

Roll bar:

- I really like the look of McMark's GT half-cage. Very clean look while still stiffening the body and adding safety. Thinking I will jsut drive the car to his shop and have him put it in on the spot. save money on shipping, and give him the business.

rear suspension:

- right now I have KYB's and they sit way too high and are obviously very stiff. I had Koni yellows with threaded collars on my last car and they were AWESEOME. They are a bit on the pricey side, so i might look for alternatives. My only criteria is that the ride height be adjustable and they remain stiff. (maybe not as stiff as the kyb's)
Bilstein's are cheap and adjustable.
steering wheel/quick release:

i really have no idea what I want to do for the steering wheel, but I would like a suede grip. The quick release will be there because the seats and rollbar will make it harder to get in and out around the steering wheel. Not to mention it is added anti-theft device (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
I like suede too. I'm going to run my 911 wheel for now. Make sure your quick release does not release too easy. Mine requires two hands to pull 2 pins on opposite sides. Very hard for it to fall off.

[Andyrew]

Seats: Sit in a REAL clubman, They feel JUST like mine and have that issue I explained to you earlier. I believe they are steel framed as well. You might prefer something that doesnt cut off the circulation on the back of your leg..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/UNIVERSAL-R...=item2a1221d6f7

These are like what I have.


Harness:
These should bold to the back, have the proper mounts, and then go over a roll bar or harness bar (like mine) so that the forward motion of your body doesnt compress your spine in an accident. Oh and camlock should be a given.

Rear susp:
I vote koni yellows and Ground control threaded collars. Then springs of your choice (You can go for universal springs at this point because of the collars)


Wheel:
I like my momo! No opinion on disconnects.

[malaga_red75]

Do the bilsteins take the stock springs? or should I get new ones while i am at it? Also, does the size (height) of the spring depend on the height setting of the bilstein?

also, if i lower the front end, how do i compensate for bump-steer? I have seen the kits out there but do they work? What else should I worry about when lowering the car?

[RiqueMar]

As far as durability is concerned, the Corbeaus are great in my opinion. We have 12 of them in a driver training site in Panama seeing 20-30 butts a day, they're pretty rugged.

As for the 5 point harness? As cool as it looks, good for the track, dangerous for the street. I know that's not what everyone likes to hear (including myself) especially our generation.

[Mike Bellis]

Do the bilsteins take the stock springs? or should I get new ones while i am at it? Also, does the size (height) of the spring depend on the height setting of the bilstein?

also, if i lower the front end, how do i compensate for bump-steer? I have seen the kits out there but do they work? What else should I worry about when lowering the car?

Bilsteins will take the stock springs or you can get adjustable pearches and go with custom ones. If you lower it too much you will have bumpsteer. There is a cheap spacer kit to raise the rack/pinion up or go the more exspensive route and use turbo tie rods.

[malaga_red75]

a little update...

I bought a few things for the car while it has been over at andrew's getting painted.

corbeau clubmans... (2 of them and harnesses)




koni yellows with threaded collars (I need springs for these, does anyone have 2.5" ID springs between 140-200#??)




I also felt the need to re-paint my subaru wheels.

When it's not one car, its another...



painted wheel....




all together....

[matthepcat]

Nice wagon. Now I understand your Subaru engine inspiration. My wagon makes me want an EJ25 in the 914 too!

[malaga_red75]

Nice wagon. Now I understand your Subaru engine inspiration. My wagon makes me want an EJ25 in the 914 too!

oddly enough, I actually had started the 914/subi project before I got my wagon. But I had always thought the wrx wagon was a great car.

227hp
4 wheel drive
enough room for my drums or 4 guys and ski gear.
and 30mpg.... errrr if im driving 65mph the whole time.

gotta love it.

[matthepcat]

Your 914 will fly. With free flowing exhaust and a tune the wrx comes alive, couple that in a light 914 ...wow.

Have you considered putting a VF43 turbo from an STI on the motor? Can be had very cheaply off www.I-club.com or www.nasioc.com

Nice wagon. Now I understand your Subaru engine inspiration. My wagon makes me want an EJ25 in the 914 too!

oddly enough, I actually had started the 914/subi project before I got my wagon. But I had always thought the wrx wagon was a great car.

227hp
4 wheel drive
enough room for my drums or 4 guys and ski gear.
and 30mpg.... errrr if im driving 65mph the whole time.

gotta love it.

[malaga_red75]

The 914 motor is actually N/A but still puts out around 200 at the crank.

I've actually seriously considered taking the turbo off of my wrx and putting it on the 914 and then getting an STI turbo for my wrx.

[malaga_red75]

So I have the Koni Yellow's and I am looking for a set of springs for them.

What is the right height to get for the spring? I have about 4-6" of threads on the collar to work with, but I want to lower the car 1-2" overall from stock height.

[malaga_red75]

I had my uncle cut some parts for me for when I get the car back.

When i mounted the engine, I realized that the shift bar was hitting the engine mount bar whenever I tried to shift into 4th. (The bar rotates up when going into 4th and was hitting the top of the hole through the mount bar).

So, I decided to space the engine up about 1/4" to help alleviate this issue. I was originaly going to just use washers, but quickly realized that the force would distribute evenly... so I designed these in SolidWorks and had my uncle cut them using his CNC machine.

[malaga_red75]

So, I took delivery of my car from Andrew on saturday morning.

I got right to work and had the engine in and fired up within a few hours.

I spent the next 3 days doing as much as I could before having to come back to school. I didnt sleep much, but it was all worth it.

here are the pics


bringing it home from andrews...

[Andyrew]

Reduce the size of your pics boy!

You stopped at in and out in modesto on your way out (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)?

[malaga_red75]

another shot on the trailer

[malaga_red75]

ahhh... i know. i thought itd be ok but i guess they are too big. give me a few minutes and ill reduce them... i was just being lazy.